REVIEW: ‘The Darwin Incident’ Episode 1 — “Humanzee”

The Darwin Incident is a peculiar sci-fi thriller anime series, known for its eye-grabbing main character, a half-human, half-chimpanzee known as the Humanzee. Even though the art style isn’t anything to be amazed by, mangaka Shun Umezawa made sure the lead character was appalling to look at. The driving force of Bellnox Films’ series, and of The Darwin Incident Episode 1, revolves around two questions: how did the scientists create a Humanzee, and why does a terrorist vegan activist group want him?

Charlie is one of a kind. As a half-human, half-chimpanzee Humanzee, he has intellect and physical prowess off the charts. This is why the Animal Liberation Alliance, a terrorist group, wants him. And they will take extreme measures to get him. However, Charlie (Atsumi Tanezaki) is determined to fight back for his loved ones.

The Darwin Incident Episode 1, “Humanzee”, dramatically kicks off when the Animal Liberation Alliance (ALA) raids a research institute and takes away a pregnant chimpanzee. Fifteen years later, Charlie, the half-human, half-chimpanzee Humanzee born that night, enrolls in high school. He befriends Lucy (Mitsuho Kambe), but little do they know how fragile their peaceful days really are.

The first-person POV adds a sense of dread to The Darwin Incident Episode 1.

Hearing Akio Ôtsuka voice another villain is always a joy. This time, Ôtsuka plays the main antagonist, Rivera Feyerabend. His voice work continues to shine, sounding less menacing than All For One in My Hero Academia. Funny enough, his character is a manipulative villain like All For One. 

The Darwin Incident Episode 1 covers the first couple of chapters of the first manga, hitting the same notes of fear, curiosity, and strangeness from the students. The first-person POV adds a sense of dread, like stepping into school for the first time. It feels like all the eyes are on one person. 

Another distinct shot composition appears at the beginning, with a thunderstorm during the breakout. This whole breakout moment feels less gritty than reading it in the manga. The camera focuses on the animals’ eyes, creating a horror vibe. Something about the xylophone-filled score by composers Alisa Okehazama and Mariko Horikawa also heightens the drama and ominous air. 

The Darwin Incident Episode 1 thoughtfully examines what it feels like to be different and new to a school.

Building on the sounds of The Darwin Incident Episode 1, the intro song, “Make Me Wonder” by Official Hige Dandism, is a normal bop for a sci-fi thriller show, with the visuals looking like a throwback to older mystery shows. Official Hige Dandism is best known for their anime themes for Tokyo Revengers and Spy x Family. The ending song, “Turn It Up” by Ako, is the standout banger track, which isn’t fully out yet—just the show’s ending version. 

Sound director Yoshikazu Iwanami deserves some praise when Charlie leaps out and rescues Lucy in The Darwin Incident Episode 1. The tree branch cracking ratchets up the stakes of Lucy and the cat falling out of the tree. The quick cuts from Misaki Enokida’s editing also quickly build up the feeling that Lucy was going to get hurt. Iwanami nails the sound of the explosion that occurs later in the episode. It’s so loud, and it feels like a real-life explosion with the sound of debris breaking apart in a fire.

The Darwin Incident Episode 1 carries a thoughtful theme around what it feels like to be different and new to a school. The episode also teases how Charlie can come off as cold because he doesn’t understand humans, and what it truly means to be human. This tends to make Charlie appear cold, but he doesn’t understand certain voice tone levels. The manga executes Charlie’s almost deadpan line deliveries, but hearing and seeing it is another immersive level up. 

One of the only critiques about The Darwin Incident Episode 1 is how plain the art style looks.

It’s too early to call, but one of the only critiques about The Darwin Incident Episode 1 is how plain the art style looks. There’s no enticing style that catches the eye. Also, there are a bunch of moments in the manga that provide background information through background text—such as newspaper clippings or photos. The show does the same thing, but quickly shows the exposition. This forces audiences to pause or go back to read the expository information to uncover all the clues about Charlie. Otherwise, the show is simply good for its mystery elements. 

While there aren’t any standout factors that make The Darwin Incident Episode 1 a must-watch, this first episode creates a lot of intrigue. A few plot threads are beginning to spin: knowing more about Charlie’s adoptive parents, learning more about Lucy, and finding out what the ALA intends to do with Charlie. So far, the mystery surrounding the terrorists and Charlie’s creation is the biggest hook of this series, leaving plenty of room to get better or worse. 

The Darwin Incident Episode 1 is streaming on Prime Video, with new episodes premiering on Wednesdays.

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